The Common Causes of Secondary Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome is not an isolated disease, but a syndrome characterized with serious edema, large amount of proteinuria, hyperlipemia and hypoproteinemia. It includes Primary Nephrotic Syndrome and Secondary Nephrotic Syndrome. The common causes of Secondary Nephrotic Syndrome are as follows:

1. Diabetic Nephropathy: It usually occurs among the patients with more than 10 years’ history of Diabetes, especially Type 1 Diabetes patients with poor control of blood sugar. When the patients have Nephrotic Syndrome, the patients often are inspected to have microaneurysm in eye ground. In its early stage, the kidneys enlarge and the renal blood volume and glomerular filtration rate rise or keep normal. In the late stage, the renal function will decrease gradually.

2. Lupus Nephritis: It is very common among women aging 20 to 48 years old, in which about 20~50% of them have Nephrotic Syndrome. The patients usually have fever, joint pain and rash.

3. Amyloid Nephropathy: It includes Primary and Secondary Amyloid Nephropathy. The latter one is usually caused by chronic infection. In the early stage of Amyloid Nephropathy, the patients only have proteinuria. Generally speaking, in 3~5 years, they will develop Nephrotic Syndrome.

4. Malignant tumor: Nearly all kinds of malignant tumors such as Breast Cancer, Stomach Cancer and so on can lead to Nephrotic Syndrome. Therefore, it is very important for the patients with Nephrotic Syndrome to do a systemic exam.

5. Purpura Nephritis: It is common among adults. Nearly all patients have renal injury and some even develop Nephrotic Syndrome.


In a world, not less than 50% of Nephrotic Syndrome is secondary. Therefore, preventing the primary disease of Nephrotic Syndrome is very important to decrease its incidence. Once the patients are diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, they should receive treatment at once so as to prevent the further kidney damage. If you want to know more about the treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome or other aspects, please consult us on line or email to kidney-treatment@hotmail.com.